Mixed emotions in Wisconsin town Foxconn picked for plant

Ivan Moreno, Associated Press

October 4, 2017

Photo: Ivan Moreno, STF

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Gonzalo Perez, 50, owner of the House of Castlewood, talks at his restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Sturtevant, Wis., about the potential economic benefit from Foxconn building a manufacturing plant nearby. The Taiwan-based company announced that the location for the plant would be in Mount Pleasant, just across the highway from Perez's restaurant. (AP Photo/Ivan Moreno) less

Gonzalo Perez, 50, owner of the House of Castlewood, talks at his restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Sturtevant, Wis., about the potential economic benefit from Foxconn building a manufacturing plant ... more

Photo: Ivan Moreno, STF

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Tammy Graceffa, 51, owner of the Hiawatha Bar and Grill, talks in her restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 in Sturtevant, Wis., about Foxconn's announcement of the location of its planned manufacturing plant in nearby Mount Pleasant. Graceffa owns land in the development site and said the news was bittersweet because she stands to benefit economically but she might lose the land where she grew up. (AP Photo/Ivan Moreno) less

Tammy Graceffa, 51, owner of the Hiawatha Bar and Grill, talks in her restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 in Sturtevant, Wis., about Foxconn's announcement of the location of its planned manufacturing plant ... more

Photo: Ivan Moreno, STF

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Jenny Trick of the Racine County Economic Development Corp. announces the site of the Foxconn plant, Mount Pleasant, on Wednesday.

Jenny Trick of the Racine County Economic Development Corp. announces the site of the Foxconn plant, Mount Pleasant, on Wednesday.

Photo: Mark Hoffman, MBR

Mixed emotions in Wisconsin town Foxconn picked for plant

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RACINE, Wis. - Residents of the southeastern Wisconsin town where Foxconn Technology Group plans a massive display screen plant greeted the announcement Wednesday with excitement about the possible economic boost and wistfulness about the community's changing landscape.

Foxconn announced the location of its planned factory after months of negotiations with the company and the village of Mount Pleasant in Racine County. The company has said it intends to build a campus with about 20 million square feet of office space over 1.56 square miles, eventually employing as many as 13,000 people to manufacture liquid crystal display screens used on phones, televisions, computers and other devices.

Tammy Graceffa, 54, the owner of the Hiawatha Bar and Grill just south of the plant's expected location, said the influx of workers and her land's possible purchase could bring her financial gains. But still, she found the moment bittersweet.

"Where we grew up and were raised will no longer be farm fields. It will be concrete and industry," she said.

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The Wisconsin Legislature approved a $3 billion incentive package for Foxconn - contingent on the company fulfilling its jobs promise, and the state's economic development agency is working on the final contract.

The intended industrial complex would be the largest in the state.

"I think it's going to be really good. The economy ought to pick its way up around here. It's been dragging a little here" in Racine County, said Michael Rosenbaum, a village trustee in the town of Sturtevant.

Rosenbaum said he understands there are landowners who are unhappy about being displaced, but hopes Foxconn will "make sure that they get a decent deal."

"You can have another dream home. That's my feeling," he said.

But some landowners said they felt like they didn't have much choice.

"It's the Foxconn train. Get on or get run over," said Katie Spencer, 27.

Gonzalo Perez, meanwhile, is already brainstorming ways to get more people to his restaurant, the House of Castlewood. The 50-year-old Mexican immigrant who bought the diner in December said he's toying with the idea of having a buffet so when the future workers come they can come in and out quicker.

His restaurant is in Sturtevant, but it's just across the highway from the planned factory.

"This is like something of a miracle happening here because nobody expected that kind of business would come to a small town like Sturtevant," he said.